How do you use a Zvex SHO & where is it in your chain?

[tripp2k]

Title pretty much says it all. I'm looking to use it as a clean boost primarily, but like the tones I've heard of that knob turned clockwise for some other purposes.

[kludge]

Originally Posted by tripp2k

Title pretty much says it all. I'm looking to use it as a clean boost primarily, but like the tones I've heard of that knob turned clockwise for some other purposes.

Not necessarily a SHO, but I like to run one clean buffer at the beginning of my chain, and another at the end.

[TheGrooveking]

I use my SHO's at the beginning of the chain as a buffer. They seem to breath life into the system and some extra dimension to the upper frequencies.

TheGrooveking

[dash_doc]

Originally Posted by TheGrooveking

I use my SHO's at the beginning of the chain as a buffer. They seem to breath life into the system and some extra dimension to the upper frequencies.

TheGrooveking

+1 right up front.

[tripp2k]

Originally Posted by TheGrooveking

I use my SHO's at the beginning of the chain as a buffer. They seem to breath life into the system and some extra dimension to the upper frequencies.

TheGrooveking

Do you leave it on all the time or do you get that same kind of breath when not engaged and punch it for boost? I am awaiting receipt of one and looking forward to it.

Thx for the input thus far...seems like a quorum.

[zygoat]

I just got mine in today. Holy crap this thing will get loud. I'm just running it by itself in front of my 5E3 at the moment, it's pretty much like turning the volume knob up on the amp.

[TheGrooveking]

No I leave it on all the time. For boosting the signal like for a solo I'll use a Fulltone Fat Boost or an Xotic RC Booster. It actually works well to have a good buffer at the beginning of your pedal chain and one at the end.

TheGrooveking

[lv]

Nice thing about this circuit is it will add volume, sparkle and low end to a clean tone, but when pushing an overdrive pedal, seems to only add thickness and not add top end.

[somedayrockstar]

I had mine at the begining forever then I moved it to the end. Love it both way's. Cleans all your pedals up that run into it and make's you guitar sound incredible when before them. I ran mine all the time. Would it br redundant if I had one at the begining AND one at the end?

[thedroid]

At the beginning, always on, unity gain, it's going to buffer your guitar signal and basically keep more of the sound of the guitar and pickups intact all the way through your pedal chain. At the end, unity gain, always on, it's going to enhance the sound of the pedals you have before it as well. I don't think it buffers the signal when it's off, since it's TB.

Personally I think there are cheaper buffers out there if that's what you want. I think the SHO excels as a volume boost at the very end of the chain, especially in a band setting. It will make you jump out in the mix like nothing else I've used. The only exception is if you've completely maxed out the headroom in your amp, in which case the SHO is just going to give you more drive.

[this1smyne]

i can build you a clone for a fraction of the cost.... dual outputs too. it does a great job at what it does, both as a buffer/life breather and as a solo booster. i like it pushing a master amp too. my buddies matchless sounds heavenly with a SHO in front.

[Brett Valentine]

I keep mine near the end to give me a clean lead boost. Can't beat the headroom!

[StompBoxBlues]

I've used mine differently at times. I like it usually best right after guitar.
But have also used it directly after fuzz, to get the fuzz to cut when it is really fuzzed, and also at the end of a whole chain to give a little oomph to the signal on the way into the amp.

It works in all those cases (and more I am sure), but with different tonal and gain sonics...

[macmax77]

i miss mine, i sold this to a forumite , i painted it myself and in a moment of madness i sold it, arrrghhhh
I used it in different places on the chain, it worked fantastic, it made the sound livelier!

[tripp2k]

Thanks gents. I kinda left out that immediately after guitar I have a dual looper where one loop has a Ge fuzz in it. I know fuzz really likes to see that guitar signal before it sees anything else. Given this bit of info, should I focus on keeping it after my drives, but before chorus/delay or after these? The SHO is still en route to me so I'm not able to experiment yet. Appreciate all the good input